Do telecom providers contribute to the UK mobile database?
Posted: Wed May 21, 2025 5:55 am
In the UK, the concept of a single, comprehensive "mobile database" to which all telecom providers contribute in a publicly accessible way is not accurate, primarily due to stringent privacy regulations and the nature of telecommunications infrastructure. However, telecom providers do contribute to and maintain certain databases for specific, legally mandated, or operational purposes.
Regulatory and Operational Databases
Telecom providers are legally obligated to contribute to and use certain databases for regulatory compliance and efficient network operation. A prime example is the data associated with number portability. When a mobile phone user switches providers but keeps their netherlands mobile database existing number, the losing and gaining network operators must exchange information to ensure calls and messages are correctly routed to the user's new provider. This process, while not involving a single public database, requires a complex system of inter-operator communication and updates to various internal routing databases. Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, manages the overall numbering scheme and allocates number blocks to different communication providers, which are then responsible for managing those numbers.
Another key area is the Telephone Preference Service (TPS). While individuals register their numbers with the TPS, it is the responsibility of organizations, including telecom providers when making marketing calls, to screen their call lists against the TPS register. This means telecom providers access and utilize the TPS database to ensure they are compliant with marketing regulations, rather than directly contributing their customer numbers to the TPS for public listing.
BT OSIS (Operator Services Information System)
A significant example of a database that telecom providers, particularly BT (as a major incumbent), contribute to is the BT OSIS (Operator Services Information System). This is described as the UK's "official directory of telephone numbers and associated details, including names and addresses." While it's not a publicly accessible database for anyone to look up mobile numbers, it's a comprehensive internal system primarily used by businesses for data cleansing, telemarketing, and customer service. BT OSIS contains both landline and mobile numbers, along with registered names and addresses, and information about the service providers for each number. Telecom providers contribute data to BT OSIS to ensure its accuracy and comprehensiveness. However, access to this data is tightly controlled and primarily for legitimate business purposes, subject to strict data protection regulations.
Internal Databases and Data Sharing with Restrictions
Each individual mobile network operator (MNO) – such as EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three – maintains its own extensive internal databases of its subscribers' mobile numbers, billing information, and usage data. This data is critical for providing services, billing, network management, and customer support.
However, sharing this data with third parties or other telecom providers is heavily restricted by UK GDPR and other privacy laws. Data can only be shared under specific lawful bases, such as:
With explicit consent from the individual.
Regulatory and Operational Databases
Telecom providers are legally obligated to contribute to and use certain databases for regulatory compliance and efficient network operation. A prime example is the data associated with number portability. When a mobile phone user switches providers but keeps their netherlands mobile database existing number, the losing and gaining network operators must exchange information to ensure calls and messages are correctly routed to the user's new provider. This process, while not involving a single public database, requires a complex system of inter-operator communication and updates to various internal routing databases. Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, manages the overall numbering scheme and allocates number blocks to different communication providers, which are then responsible for managing those numbers.
Another key area is the Telephone Preference Service (TPS). While individuals register their numbers with the TPS, it is the responsibility of organizations, including telecom providers when making marketing calls, to screen their call lists against the TPS register. This means telecom providers access and utilize the TPS database to ensure they are compliant with marketing regulations, rather than directly contributing their customer numbers to the TPS for public listing.
BT OSIS (Operator Services Information System)
A significant example of a database that telecom providers, particularly BT (as a major incumbent), contribute to is the BT OSIS (Operator Services Information System). This is described as the UK's "official directory of telephone numbers and associated details, including names and addresses." While it's not a publicly accessible database for anyone to look up mobile numbers, it's a comprehensive internal system primarily used by businesses for data cleansing, telemarketing, and customer service. BT OSIS contains both landline and mobile numbers, along with registered names and addresses, and information about the service providers for each number. Telecom providers contribute data to BT OSIS to ensure its accuracy and comprehensiveness. However, access to this data is tightly controlled and primarily for legitimate business purposes, subject to strict data protection regulations.
Internal Databases and Data Sharing with Restrictions
Each individual mobile network operator (MNO) – such as EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three – maintains its own extensive internal databases of its subscribers' mobile numbers, billing information, and usage data. This data is critical for providing services, billing, network management, and customer support.
However, sharing this data with third parties or other telecom providers is heavily restricted by UK GDPR and other privacy laws. Data can only be shared under specific lawful bases, such as:
With explicit consent from the individual.